Kirk D Rice

Kirk Rice is the Program Manager for Protective Systems Research in NIST's Law Enforcement Standards Office, a position he has held since December 1998. In that role, he oversees research and metrology programs that promote standards and scientific understanding of materials used in personal protective equipment, such as body armor and helmets. He was awarded a NIST Bronze Medal in 2002 for his work leading to the development of the first U.S. standard for stab-resistant body armor.

In 2010, his team was awarded the Department of Commerce Gold Medal for their research on ballistic-resistant body armor performance issues and developing improved test methodologies. His program provides technical support to body armor test laboratory accreditation activities and to various groups involved in making conformity assessment decisions. Prior to joining NIST, from 1984 to 1998, Mr. Rice was a civilian researcher for the U.S. Navy, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head, MD, specializing in interior ballistics, developing improved energetic materials, and evaluating advanced naval gun technologies. Mr. Rice received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Maryland in 1984, and a Masters in Engineering Administration from The George Washington University in 1989.